Wilson rips throne speech

Simcoe Grey MPP Jim Wilson

The PC house leader ripped the throne speech, which was delivered by Lt. Gov David Onley on behalf of newly elected premier Kathleen Wynne, on Tuesday.

Wilson called it “rhetoric,” and said it didn’t come up with solutions for Ontario’s problems. Wilson said if Wynne wants to build on the legacy of former premier Dalton McGuinty, it will cost Ontarians more.

“We were looking for a fundamental change in direction,” he said. “That legacy, we know, brought us the greatest debt crisis and greatest job crisis in the history of Ontario.”

Wilson said his party has already announced they will vote against the throne speech. He said there wasn’t a plan to deal with jobs, debt, agriculture and the cost of government.

Wilson said he and PC leader Tim Hudak are calling on a wage freeze for all public sector workers.

“When we’re calling for a reduction in the cost and size of government, you can’t be putting in new programs and spending,” he said.

In the speech, the premier spoke about MPPs working together and for their constituents.

“Your government believes that if we can hope to serve Ontario, then we must act together, as one. The people of Ontario expect this of all members of the legislative assembly. It is what they want and it is what they deserve. Members of provincial parliament must be conduits for their constituents, so this legislature can hear all the voices of this province and represent all of its diverse needs,” Onley read.

Wilson took issue with the tone of the speech.

“The tone of the speech was condescending to anybody has been elected for any period of time,” he said. “To turn around and spend 17 pages, lecturing us on how to behave, how to get along and how to represent our constituents was condescending. I wanted to walk out as did many members, but we have such respect for David Onley that we didn’t. It was one of the most boring things I’ve sat through in my life.”

Wilson said his party will wait to see the budget and is still willing to work with them on that.

However, Wilson isn’t pleased with the direction. He believes the speech went to the left and got the NDP’s support.

“Of our big ideas, she didn’t adopt anything,” he said.

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(2) Comment

By Michael|FEBRUARY 21, 2013 09:29 AM

The key test is to determine whether or not she and the Liberals are electable based on their probable coalition with the NDP and moving, in my opinion, further to the left. I think Ms. Wynne will try to string her leadership role as long as she can in hope of attracting the voters back to the Liberal Party.

“We were looking for a fundamental change in direction,” he said. “That legacy, we know, brought us the greatest debt crisis and greatest job crisis in the history of Ontario.” No that is still Harris/Eves.
"Wilson said he and PC leader Tim Hudak are calling on a wage freeze for all public sector workers." So why did the cons attack teachers and left the cops to continue to suck on that same gravy?
Yes it did support the NDP. That tells me that the liberals are more center and away from crazy land. Well done Wynne!